Senate Bill 136

Introduced Senate Bill (S)

DIGEST

Redistricting. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency (agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Provides that if the Constitution of the State of Indiana does not require the general assembly to establish legislative districts, the commission's recommendations for legislative plans define those districts. Provides that if the Constitution of the State of Indiana requires the general assembly toRedistricting. Establishes a redistricting commission (commission) to create, hold hearings on, take public comment about, and recommend plans to redraw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Requires the legislative services agency (agency) to provide staff and administrative services to the commission. Establishes standards to govern the commission and the agency in the creation of redistricting plans. Provides that if the Constitution of the State of Indiana does not require the general assembly to establish legislative districts, the commission's recommendations for legislative plans define those districts. Provides that if the Constitution of the State of Indiana requires the general assembly toestablish the districts, the general assembly shall meet and enact redistricting plans before October 1 of a redistricting year. Authorizes the general assembly to convene in a session to act on redistricting bills at times other than the times the general assembly is currently authorized to meet. Provides that a person employed by the agency or under contract with the agency may not knowingly or intentionally use political data in the creation or evaluation of a redistricting plan. Provides that a person may not knowingly or intentionally solicit, aid, induce, or cause a person employed by the agency or under contract with the agency to use political data in the creation or evaluation of a redistricting plan. Makes a violation of these restrictions a Level 6 felony. Repeals the current law relating to congressional redistricting by a commission when the general assembly fails to enact a congressional redistricting plan. Appropriates from the state general fund the amounts necessary to pay the expenses of implementing the statute. Repeals the statute establishing the special interim study committee on redistricting.... View more